Bush allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning of relief in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Bush was one of five relievers to shut down the powerful Houston lineup over the final five innings, enabling the Rangers' come-from-behind victory. He had been a starter candidate during spring training, but was challenged by the transition from relief. He's made eight appearances thus far, with only two of them clean. Over 8.2 innings, Bush has allowed three runs on six walks and five hits.,

Bush, whose bid for the starting rotation ended Sunday when manager Jeff Banister announced he will pitch out of the bullpen, will be used as a "bridge" reliever, Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bush had been the Rangers' closer for a bit last year, but Banister specifically projected him as a middle-innings guy who can get a lead through an inning or more. He converted all nine of his hold chances last season after moving out of the closer's role. With Bush no longer considered for a starting role, Bartolo Colon's chances of sticking with the team increase.

Bush will be used out of the bullpen this coming season, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bush has appeared in three games this spring, with two of them being as a starter. Thus far, he's given up four runs on six hits and four walks over 6.2 innings, with three of those hits being home runs. His return to the bullpen isn't terribly surprising, as all of Bush's appearances in the Show have been as a reliever, and primarily for short stretches. Last season he recorded a 3.78 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 57 games (52.1 innings).

Bush allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out three over two innings in Friday's start against the Reds, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bush, a reliever who's getting an opportunity as a starter this spring, pitched like a reliever Friday. He threw only fastballs and curveballs during a lengthy first inning that burned 24 of his bullets. He was on a pitch count around 45 pitches and was pulled after two innings and 43 pitches. Bush said his arm feels strong, but admits to some difficulty in the transition to being a starter. "Finding consistency and rhythm with my lower half isn't there. I tried to approach the first inning like I was relieving. I came out throwing as hard as I could. I need to tone it down a notch," he said. His overall body of work this spring -- four runs, four walks, six hits in 6.2 innings -- suggests he may return to the bullpen before long.

Bush allowed two runs on on three hits and two walks while striking out two in Saturday's game against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Bush, who allowed both runs to score on solo home runs, didn't start the game. Instead he piggy-backed on a start by staff ace Cole Hamels. He's in the mix for a spot in the rotation, however, there are at least three more-experienced starters in camp competing for the same spot.

Bush is still in the battle for a rotation spot despite the Rangers' recent acquisition of Jesse Chavez, the Rangers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bush declared his intention to join the rotation last fall, though the Rangers have added a number of starting pitchers since then. Doug Fister, Matt Moore, Mike Minor, and now Chavez are all with the team on major-league contracts, with Bartolo Colon and Jon Niese in camp on minor-league deals. According to general manager Jon Daniels, though, those additions do not rule out Bush from winning a rotation spot, as the team would be able to move Chavez or Minor to the bullpen if Bush outpitches them this spring.

Bush (shoulder) will take the hill against Colorado on Sunday in a Cactus League contest, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bush underwent minor surgery to repair the AC join in his right shoulder in late October. He appears to be right on line with his timetable, as the Rangers expected the right-hander to be at full health by the time spring camp commenced. Though he won't be on the mound for long this weekend, this will be a good test to see how his shoulder holds up in a live game. Over 57 appearances last season, Bush posted a 3.78 ERA and 1.45 WHIP.

Bush had minor surgery to repair the AC joint in his right shoulder Wednesday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bush should be ready to go by the time spring training rolls around after requiring arthroscopic repair in his throwing shoulder. The 31-year-old compiled a 3.78 ERA during 52.1 innings out of the bullpen this year, while recording a 58:19 K:BB in the process. Looking ahead, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels stated that Bush could be a candidate for the starting rotation in 2018, but it remains to be seen how this setback will impact that specific situation.

Bush could be a candidate to compete for a rotation spot with the Rangers in spring training, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports. "Let's just say we have had the conversation and we are still having that conversation," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said, regarding the matter.

EDGE Analysis

Bush seized the closing role for the Rangers in late April after Sam Dyson was unable to get the job done, and after initially finding success in the ninth inning, the hard-throwing right-hander ending up forfeiting the gig about two months later following a string of rough outings. Manager Jeff Banister wound up deploying Bush mostly in a setup capacity the rest of the season, with the 30-year-old turning in a 4.19 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 22 strikeouts over 19.1 innings in the second half. While Bush's high-90s fastball lends itself well to bullpen work, the Rangers' lack of rotation depth is a major concern heading into 2018, and it appears the team is exploring all avenues to find reliable starters. If Bush is able to build up his stamina in the offseason without sacrificing too many ticks off his fastball, he could make for an interesting project in the rotation. However, it would probably be worthwhile to see how Bush performs in spring training in a starting role before he'd warrant investment in the fantasy realm.

Bush was credited with his ninth hold of the season in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Angels, despite giving up one run on two hits while retiring one batter via strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Bush, who served up a home run to Mike Trout on Sunday, has given up runs in two of his three appearances since coming off the 10-day disabled list earlier in September, but it doesn't appear that it will dissuade manager Jeff Banister from turning to the former closer in high-leverage spots down the stretch. Even so, Bush doesn't look to be even first in line for saves behind primary closer Alex Claudio. It appears lefty Jake Diekman, who notched his first save of the season in Sunday's win, is now the top handcuff to Claudio.